Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
U.S. stocks closed lower Monday as Wall Street opened the final month of the year with caution ahead of an expected interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve. The S&P 500 dipped 0.4%, the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.4%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 427 points, or 0.9%, despite strong gains across all three major indexes last week. November ended on a positive note for the S&P 500 and Dow, while the Nasdaq slipped 1.51%, reflecting ongoing concerns about elevated tech valuations and heavy spending on artificial intelligence initiatives.
Market sentiment has been largely driven by rising expectations that the Fed will deliver a 0.25% rate cut at its upcoming December 9–10 meeting. The probability of such a move has surged to roughly 88%, up sharply from around 45% just over a week ago. Recent dovish remarks from Federal Reserve officials have strengthened these projections, though uncertainty persists due to limited new economic data following the federal government shutdown.
Investors are also preparing for a wave of U.S. economic releases this week, including key reports on manufacturing, services, consumer sentiment, and private payrolls. Retail stocks may also gain attention after strong online spending during Black Friday.
Meanwhile, focus is intensifying on President Donald Trump’s upcoming appointment for the next Federal Reserve chair. Names reportedly on the shortlist include Kevin Hassett, Kevin Warsh, and current Fed Governor Christopher Waller, with Hassett considered the leading candidate. A leadership shift could significantly influence monetary policy, especially given Trump’s push for rapid rate cuts, which could boost equities, particularly in growth and retail sectors.
Crypto-related stocks faced steep declines as Bitcoin fell 7%. MicroStrategy dropped more than 3% after lowering guidance and raising capital to strengthen its cash reserves, sparking concerns over potential Bitcoin asset sales. Other crypto stocks, including Riot Platforms, Marathon Digital, and Coinbase, also traded lower amid cooling network activity and unstable ETF inflows.
